Public hearing addresses boundary dispute over Johnson family's 87 acre farm

In a recent St. Mary's County Planning Commission meeting, a long-standing land ownership dispute came to the forefront, centering on 87 acres adjacent to the Johnson family’s historic farm. The land, which has been the subject of confusion and miscommunication for decades, was originally awarded to Claude and Agnes Johnson by a court ruling in 1988. However, subsequent errors in state and county records led to the property being incorrectly classified as state-owned, resulting in its exclusion from the Lexington Park Development District.

The meeting featured testimony from a member of the Johnson family, who detailed the history of the land and the numerous attempts made to rectify the ownership records. Despite assurances from county officials over the years that the land was included in the development district, it remained excluded due to persistent inaccuracies in the Department of Assessments and Taxation records. The family argued that the county's decision to grant public water and sewer access to the property indicated an intention for it to be developed, contradicting its exclusion from the district.

Planning Commission members expressed concern about the environmental implications of developing the land, particularly given its location within the sensitive watershed of the St. Mary's River. The Maryland Department of Planning highlighted the need for careful consideration of the area's ecological significance, suggesting that development should be limited to protect the watershed.

Public comments during the meeting reflected a mix of support and apprehension regarding the potential development of the 87 acres. Some community members voiced concerns about increased density and the impact on local traffic and environmental health, while others acknowledged the historical errors that led to the current situation.

As the commission deliberates on whether to include the 87 acres in the development district, the outcome could set a precedent for future land use decisions in St. Mary's County. The discussions underscored the complexities of land ownership, environmental stewardship, and community planning, leaving many residents eager to see how the commission will navigate these intertwined issues.